Maryland women’s soccer defender Niven Hegeman out for season with torn ACL

Maryland women’s soccer defender Niven Hegeman will miss the remainder of the 2019 season with a torn ACL, a team official confirmed to Testudo Times Wednesday.

The injury occurred on Sunday during the 30th minute of the Terrapins’ 1-0 double overtime win against NJIT. Hegeman was playing slightly up the field as a central defensive midfielder pivoting with the play, but as Maryland was dispossessed, she stepped up and attempted to make a tackle and her leg buckled. She was able to walk off of the field with assistance from the medical staff, but did not return to the game.

In 2018, Hegeman took part in 18 games, starting 15 of them while logging 1,339 minutes as a part of the Terps’ back line. In the team’s first matchup of the 2019 campaign, Hegeman tallied two shots in a 2-1 win over Georgia Southern. She figured to play a larger role this season as a senior leader, but will instead rehab and potentially return in 2020.

She becomes the sixth Maryland student-athlete to have torn an ACL so far in 2019, including football players Antwaine Richardson, Durell Nchami and Jeshaun Jones, women’s lacrosse defender Lizzie Colson and men’s soccer winger Paul Bin.

In transfer news

Former Maryland football defensive back Raymond Boone announced he will continue his football career nearby at Bowie State less than one week after leaving the Maryland program.

Boone redshirted during the 2018 season and was part of a very deep safety position throughout the offseason. In the spring he was also sent to the hospital after a team workout as a precaution due to low blood sugar.

In other news

Maryland men’s soccer kicks off its 2019 title defense at 8 p.m. against USF at home. Henry previewed both the new season and this first matchup, while I took a look at Luke Brown’s impact as an offseason transfer.

Austin took a look at the new season for Maryland field hockey as it hopes to bounce back after a loss in the national championship last fall.

The “Shell” at Maryland stadium is nearly ready for kickoff on Saturday when the Terrapins host Howard at noon ET.

Maryland Athletics posted its newest episode of “Hear The Turtle,” which includes a conversation with newly named starting quarterback Josh Jackson.

Former Terp Matt Rambo finished the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League season leading all players with 42 points (19 goals and 23 assists).

A pair of Maryland women’s lacrosse alumni are moving along in the coaching ranks, as Julia Braig was added as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph’s earlier this week and Colleen Dawson was announced as the head coach at William & Mary Thursday.

The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post each put out features Wednesday about Maryland football head coach Mike Locksley and his passion for his new position.